Full Name: Yershen Pillay

Position: CEO of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)

Main Activity of the Company: CHIETA is a statutory body that is responsible for education, training and skills development

Date and Place of Birth: July 22, 1983, Pietermaritzburg

Education: BSocSc (Political Science and Economics), University of Cape Town (UCT), 2006; postgraduate diploma in business administration and management, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), 2019; MBA, GIBS, 2020

First Job: Student governance coordinator at UCT

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was the deputy executive chairperson for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), an agency established primarily to tackle challenges facing South Africa’s youth – including poverty, inequality, joblessness and poor health. I then served as executive chairperson from 2013 to 2016. In 2017, I joined the NYDA board, serving until March 2020. I have also served as president of the Pan African Youth Union (2013 to 2015), as a board member for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator, and on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. Since 2018, I have been a board member of the South African Forestry Company and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). From April to November 2020, I was the director of stakeholder management for the Department of Higher Education and Training. This position led organically to my appointment as CEO of CHIETA.

Size of First Pay Packet: R 168 000 per annum

First Job with Present Group: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R605-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 94

Management Style: People-centric and innovation-driven. I am also an energiser

Personal Best Achievement: My four-year-old son

Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as the CEO of CHIETA

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Blade Nzimande

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jacinda Ardern

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Muhammad Yunus

Philosophy of Life: Learn, learn, and learn

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To serve our people as CEO of CHIETA

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not spending enough time with my late father

Hope for the Future: Global unity

Favourite Reading: Clayton M Christensen’s How Will You Measure Your Life?

Favourite TV Programme: Vice

Favourite Food/Drink: Italian/green tea

Favourite Music: House

Favourite Sport: Motorsport, Formula One

Favourite Website: www.chieta.org.za

Hobbies: Reading and watching movies with my family

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Slow implementers

Favourite Other South African Company: ACSA

Favourite Foreign Company: Netflix

Married: To Rolene Retrisha Govender, since May 1, 2016

Children: Kaydin Yershen Pillay, 4

Clubs: None